Graham floats 2016 White House bid

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) says he could be a presidential candidate in 2016.

The outspoken two-term Senator, known as a foreign policy hawk, told The Weekly Standard that if the hawks aren’t well represented when the 2016 field begins to solidify, he might throw his hat into the ring. 

{mosads}“If I get through my general election, if nobody steps up in the presidential mix, if nobody’s out there talking ​— ​me and [Sen. John] McCain [R-Ariz.] have been talking ​— ​I may just jump in to get to make these arguments,” Graham said.

Graham has a solid lead against Democratic State Senator Brad Hutto in November’s election, with multiple polls showing him leading by double digits.

The not-so-secret list of possible GOP candidates includes lawmakers from across the spectrum: Tea Party darlings, libertarians, social conservatives and establishment favorites. A Graham campaign would be one of the Republican old guard, an ever-shrinking group of lawmakers who see themselves as leaders on national defense.

When The Weekly Standard’s Stephen F. Hayes asked Graham if he’d back a run by Sen. Marco Rubio, he took a shot at the Florida Republican whom he worked with on the Senate immigration bill.

“He’s a good guy, but after doing immigration with him — we don’t need another young guy not quite ready,” Graham said of Rubio. “He’s no Obama by any means, but he’s so afraid of the right, and I’ve let that go.”

McCain said in the piece that that he encouraged Graham to give a presidential run “a look,” while also lauding potential candidates like Rubio, former Gov. Jeb Bush (Fla.), Gov. Chris Christie (N.J.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas). 

“I think Lindsey has vast and deep experience on these issues that very few others have,” McCain said.